Start of the new academic year sees over 100,000 pupils benefitting from BSF investment
07 September 2009
As pupils across the country go back to school, over 100,000 young people will be returning to learning environments which have benefitted from investment as part of the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme.
Thirty-three more schools across England – including the first Academies to be delivered as part of BSF – open their doors this month bringing the total number of schools to have received BSF investment through BSF to 120.
Tim Byles, Chief Executive of Partnerships for School, the government agency responsible for delivery of BSF, said: “The start of the new term is a very important milestone for thousands of young people and teachers as they go back to brand new learning environments, 21st century facilities and state-of-the-art ICT that will help them achieve their very best.
“This September is also an important milestone for PfS as we celebrate almost 110,000 pupils in 120 schools in 32 local authority areas benefitting from the difference that BSF investment is making to their education and to their futures.
“BSF is not just about providing new buildings. It is about providing safe, welcoming and inspirational spaces and resources where all learners are encouraged to reach their full potential. This new breed of school provides every young person with a fresh start and new opportunities, and when combined with strong leadership, an energised teaching staff and engaged parents, the results can be outstanding.
“BSF schools that have been open for a year or more are already reporting a step-change in attainment, attendance and aspiration and I look forward to these successes being repeated across the growing community of BSF schools.”
Among the schools to open for the first time this September are the first Academies to be delivered as part of BSF using the PfS National Framework:
Academy 360 (Sunderland), an all-through school for students aged 4 to 16, which will encourage students to set up businesses and which will see children grouped in ability for literacy lessons rather than year group;
Castle View Enterprise Academy (Sunderland) features a ‘retail’ street with school enterprise outlets, a hair and beauty salon and restaurant. Sports facilities include a swimming pool and all weather pitch;
Red House Academy (Sunderland) includes a wide range of vocational provision with a hair and beauty salon, an industrial kitchen and a space;
Milton Keynes Academy (Milton Keynes), features an Enterprise Hub, two full size football pitches, an athletics track, indoor sports gym and basketball court;
St Aidan’s Church of England Academy (Darlington), has a multi-use hall which can seat the whole school featuring a large 8x4m screen for presentations or films which will can be used by the community.
A full list of schools benefitting from BSF investment in September is included below.
Notes to Editors:
- Of the 33 schools benefitting from BSF investment in September 2009, 29 have been rebuilt or refurbished, and four have received funding for improved ICT.
| Local authority | Name of school | New build/Refurb | |
| 1 | Darlington | St Aidan's CoE Academy | New build |
| 2 | Gloucestershire |
Rednock | New build |
| 3 | Hackney | Stoke Newington College | New build/Refurb (Phase 1) |
| 4 | Hackney | Clapton Girls Technology College | Refurb |
| 5 | Islington | Samuel Rhodes SEN School | New build |
| 6 | Kent | Northfleet School for Girls | Refurb (Phase 1) |
| 7 | Knowsley | Huyton Arts & Sports Centre for Learning | New build |
| 8 | Knowsley | Knowsley Park Centre for Learning - serving Prescot, Whitson and the wider community | New build |
| 9 | Knowsley | Kirkby Sports College | New build |
| 10 | Lancashire | Ridgewood Community High School (SEN) | New build |
| 11 | Lancashire | Sir John Thursby Community College | New build |
| 12 | Leeds | Swallow Hill Community College | New build |
| 13 | Leeds | Allerton Grange | New build |
| 14 | Liverpool | Lower Lee SEN School | New build |
| 15 | Manchester | Enterprise Academy | ICT |
| 16 | Manchester | Health Academy | ICT |
| 17 | Milton Keynes | Milton Keynes Academy | New build |
| 18 | Newcastle | Heaton Manor | ICT |
| 19 | Newcastle | Brunton First School | New build |
| 20 | North Yorkshire | Richmond School (sixth form) | Refurb |
| 21 | Nottingham | Big Wood | New build |
| 22 | Solihull | Smith's Wood | New build |
| 23 | South Tyneside | Mortimer College | New build/Refurb |
| 24 | St Helens | Cowley | New build |
| 25 | Sunderland | Sandhill View | ICT |
| 26 | Sunderland | Red House Academy | New build |
| 27 | Sunderland | Castle View Enterprise Academy | New build |
| 28 | Sunderland | Academy 360 | New build |
| 29 | Sunderland | Washington School | New build |
| 30 | Tower Hamlets | Wessex Centre (sixth form) | New build/Refurb |
| 31 | Westminster | Westminster City Boys | New build/Refurb |
| 32 | Westminster | St Marylebone CE | New build/Refurb |
| 33 | Westminster | Pimlico | New build |
- The PfS National Framework is used to procure the design and build of Academies and other educational facilities in local authorities which are not yet engaged with the BSF programme.
- Building Schools for the Future (BSF) is the largest single schools capital investment programme for over 50 years. The aim is to rebuild or renew England’s state secondary schools estate during the lifetime of the programme.
- Partnerships for Schools (PfS) is the delivery organisation for Building Schools for the Future. PfS was established in April 2004 as a Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB). PfS is a 120-strong organisation, with specialist expertise including educationalists, designers, ICT specialists, commercial managers and project management.
- 85 local authorities are now engaged in the BSF programme, with 26 Local Education Partnerships formed to deliver school building projects in these areas.
- The National Audit Office report into BSF, published in February 2009, stated that the programme is now being well managed and that PfS is keeping costs under control. It added: “BSF schools have been built to a higher specification and space standards than previous schools”.
- The Minister for Schools announced in June that PfS is to assume responsibility for the management and delivery of all school building and refurbishment programmes from 1 October 2009. Day-to-day responsibility of schools capital programmes, including the Primary Capital Programme, will transfer from the DSCF to PfS.
